Turtle vs. Crocodile — What's the Difference?

Turtles are reptiles with a protective shell.

Crocodiles are large, predatory reptiles with long snouts.

Some turtles are adapted to aquatic life.

Crocodiles show parental care to their offspring.

Turtles are known for their slow movement.

Crocodiles have a powerful bite.

Turtles can be herbivores, omnivores, or carnivores.

They are primarily found in tropical regions.

Turtles lay their eggs on land.

Crocodiles are considered dangerous to humans.

Turtles are reptiles of the order Testudines , also known as Chelonia . They are characterized by a bony or cartilaginous shell, developed from their ribs, that acts as a shield.

Crocodiles (family Crocodylidae) or true crocodiles are large semiaquatic reptiles that live throughout the tropics in Africa, Asia, the Americas and Australia. The term crocodile is sometimes used even more loosely to include all extant members of the order Crocodilia, which includes the alligators and caimans (family Alligatoridae), the gharial and false gharial (family Gavialidae), and all other living and fossil Crocodylomorpha.

Any of various aquatic or terrestrial egg-laying reptiles of the order Testudines (or Chelonia), having horny toothless jaws and a bony or leathery shell into which the head, limbs, and tail can be withdrawn in most species.

Any of various large aquatic reptiles of the family Crocodylidae that are native to tropical and subtropical regions and have thick, armorlike skin and long tapering jaws.

Any of various members of this order that live in fresh or brackish water, in contrast to the terrestrial tortoises.

A crocodilian reptile, such as an alligator, caiman, or gharial.

Chiefly British A sea turtle.

Leather made from crocodile skin.

The flesh of certain turtles, used for food.

Chiefly British A line of people, especially pupils or choir members, standing two abreast.

A turtledove.

Any of the predatory amphibious reptiles of the family Crocodylidae; (loosely) a crocodilian, any species of the order Crocodilia, which also includes the alligators, caimans and gavials.

A turtleneck.

A long line or procession of people (especially children) walking together.

To hunt for turtles, especially as an occupation.

(logic) A fallacious dilemma, mythically supposed to have been first used by a crocodile.

(Nautical) To capsize.

(intransitive) To speak one's native language at an Esperanto-language gathering, rather than Esperanto.

Any land or marine reptile of the order Testudines, characterised by a protective shell enclosing its body. See also tortoise.

A large reptile of the genus Crocodilus, of several species. They grow to the length of sixteen or eighteen feet, and inhabit the large rivers of Africa, Asia, and America. The eggs, laid in the sand, are hatched by the sun's heat. The best known species is that of the Nile (Crocodilus vulgaris, or Crocodilus Niloticus). The Florida crocodile (Crocodilus Americanus) is much less common than the alligator and has longer jaws. The name is also sometimes applied to the species of other related genera, as the gavial and the alligator.

A marine reptile of that order.

A fallacious dilemma, mythically supposed to have been first used by a crocodile.

An Ancient Roman attack method, where the shields held by the soldiers hide them, not only left, right, front and back, but also from above.

Large voracious aquatic reptile having a long snout with massive jaws and sharp teeth and a body covered with bony plates; of sluggish tropical waters

(computing) A type of robot having a domed case (and so resembling the reptile), used in education, especially for making line drawings by means of a computer program.

(computing) An on-screen cursor that serves the same function as a turtle for drawing.

The curved plate in which the form is held in a type-revolving cylinder press.

(comptheory) A small element towards the end of a list of items to be bubble sorted, and thus tending to take a long time to be swapped into its correct position. Compare rabbit.

(dance) A breakdancing move consisting of a float during which the dancer's weight shifts from one hand to the other, producing rotation or a circular "walk".

(television) A low stand for a lamp etc.

A turtle dove.

(intransitive) To flip over onto the back or top; to turn upside down.

(intransitive) To move along slowly.

(intransitive) To turn and swim upside down.

(intransitive) To hunt turtles, especially in the water.

To build up a large defense force and strike only occasionally, rather than going for an offensive strategy.

The turtledove.

Any one of the numerous species of Testudinata, especially a sea turtle, or chelonian.

The curved plate in which the form is held in a type-revolving cylinder press.

Any of various aquatic and land reptiles having a bony shell and flipper-like limbs for swimming

Overturn accidentally;

Hunt for turtles, especially as an occupation

Yes, crocodiles can and do eat turtles, utilizing their strong jaws to break through the turtles' shells.

While turtles are generally slower on land, many are quite agile and swift in the water.

Both lay eggs; turtles lay theirs on land with no parental care, whereas crocodiles often build nests and exhibit parental care.

Yes, in some areas, turtles and crocodiles share habitats, especially in freshwater ecosystems.

Most crocodile species show some level of parental care, which is not common in turtles.

The main difference lies in their physical appearance, habitat, and diet; turtles have a protective shell and are mostly herbivorous, while crocodiles have a powerful bite and are carnivorous.

Many species of both turtles and crocodiles are endangered due to habitat destruction, poaching, and pollution.

Both breathe air but can hold their breath for extended periods while underwater.

Both have ancient lineages, with fossils dating back over 100 million years, showing they coexisted with dinosaurs.

Turtles play vital roles in their ecosystems, such as controlling jellyfish populations in the ocean and facilitating seed dispersal on land.

Yes, some turtle species are adapted to live in both fresh and saltwater environments.

Their diet varies from plants and algae to small animals, depending on the species.

Due to their aggressive nature, powerful bite, and potential to harm humans.

Yes, many turtles can retract their heads and limbs into their shells for protection.

The saltwater crocodile is the largest species, capable of reaching lengths of up to 23 feet.